Ascending the Stair

Not help? Aurora stood in shock as there was a general murmur about the room. Some of the Fates seemed to agree while others were confused. There was an angry outcry from the door as Hanna marched forward.

"How can you not help when it is your job?! A job you have been derelict in for far too long." Hanna's words spewed from her mouth. Her happy countenance had vanished.

"Remember where you are," Ime reprimanded her.

Hanna waved her off. "You sit on that platform because we allow you to, but we are all equals here."

"Let her speak," Mercilla called from her stone seat. Others echoed her sentiment.

"Our mission from the Maker is to take care of his favorite creation: humans. We should do as he bids us!" Hanna's voice reverberated, bouncing wildly and making the humans need to cover their ears.

"The Maker has given us no specific instructions on this matter, so we have not broken his trust," Eunomia countered.

"You follow the letter of the law, paying no mind to its spirit." Hanna shook her finger.

"The humans are not worthy of our intervention. We have kept them safe since the beginning of time and they repay us with scorn. The humans sow hate, anger and violence. We have done our duty by them and we will do nothing more," Salah said proudly.

Hanna spread her arms wide. "There is the heart of the issue. You think the humans are not worth our time. They are the Maker's treasure, and you are jealous of their position."

It was quiet as a tomb. Aurora stepped forward. The Fates' quarrel was heated and if left unchecked, it could lead to…well the Empress did not want to find out. She hoped silently that the right words would come.

She addressed those on the platform. "You are right that humanity is flawed. We make poor choices, hurt one another, and ruin so many good things." Aurora paused. Where was she going with this? Humans were terrible at times; she knew that too well. However, she did not want to see them come to ruin. Why? "But…but love. Love sets humanity apart. I love my people so much that I will give my life for them. Kill me now, but do not condemn my kind when you know the coming doom. If humanity is not worth saving, perhaps love is."

A hot wind swept into the hall and the room went dark for the blink of an eye. In that blink, the room was emptied of all but the four humans and the elf. The soldiers drew their swords and Devrim pulled the Empress protectively toward him. The five pushed their backs toward one another, weapons ready.

"Where did they all go?" Junayd voiced the question.

"Could be anywhere, but I suspect the topic of conversation is Her Majesty." Nurlan scanned vigilantly for danger.

"Or maybe I made them angry and they left." Aurora did not regret her speech, but she did not want humanity doomed by her words.

Brinn shook her head. "Hanna would not just leave."

Devrim agreed, "They will be back."

Sure enough, the Fates all reappeared as if they never left. "Does that satisfy you?" Omid, who was leaning against the wall, asked those at the podium.

"At least we have an answer," Besim called from the back. He seemed amused by the developments.

Hanna wore a satisfied smile. Her arms were crossed in an action that Aurora could only describe as smug. "Do you want to tell them or should I?" the gloating Fate asked.

Justum looked at the sojourners and sighed, "It seems your request for answers has been granted."

Aurora beamed. "Then tell me who was born first of the twins: Alaron and Mairwen. And who is their father so that I may know if they have a legal claim to the throne? With this knowledge I can name my heir and prevent the coming catastrophe."

Ime shook her head, "You will get answers, but not from us."

Hannah appeared at Aurora's side and took her hand, "Come with me. The boy may come some of the way but the others must remain."

The Empress had a hundred questions, but none of them would come. "I will be back shortly," she told Brinn and the soldiers. With her free hand, she took Devrim's both for his comfort and her own. She was strong, but his support made her stronger. In this manner, the three left the gathering and headed for the tallest spire containing the waterfall.

As they entered the spire's base, Aurora could feel a change come over her. "Why have we come this way?" she asked as her mind started to cloud.

"Sometimes the journey is just as important as the destination," Hanna turned to give a comforting smile.

Aurora's vision became unfocused as they began to mount the eternally long spiral staircase. Soft tears filled her eyes and slid down the Empress's cheeks. "What's wrong?" The man asked as he squeezed the young woman's hand. When he received no response, he turned to the Fate. "What's happening to her?"

"As I said, she is taking a journey," Hanna told him. "Hold fast to her hand as we climb. She should not feel alone, or she may get lost."

The gentle tears became wracking sobs as one step after another they climbed. Devrim stroked her arm. "Does this staircase ever end?" The grey-eyed man looked upward and saw no end in sight.

"It ends when she is ready. Even I cannot predicted when that will be." Hanna was melancholy. She too was trying to comfort the girl by squeezing her hand.

Suddenly the sobs became so severe that the Empress collapsed. Devrim struggled to help her stand, but she resisted as her body tucked tightly together. Devrim's heart ached to see her in pain. Somehow he could feel the will to live draining from her as her hold on his hand went limp. "Stop this! It is not worth it!" He cried at the Fate.

"I have no control here," Hanna said gravely.

Devrim tuned and took Aurora in his arms as he sat on the step beside her. "Don't give up, Aurora. You are strong. I am here, and I love you. You have to fight." His words were gentle but firm. He would not let her leave him.

Aurora gasped. "Devrim," she said softly, her eyes closed. Whatever was happening, his words seemed to sooth her.

"I'm here. You must keep going." His voice was barely above a whisper as he fought his own tears. Devrim saw the Empress grow calmer, and he helped her stand. The top of the stairs appeared inexplicably before them.

"We are here," Hanna breathed. At the top of the spire a small pool filled most of the chamber. It was attached to the raging waterfall, but the water itself had no discernible current.

Aurora was now standing erect and pulled herself from the grasp of the Fate and the man. Devrim tried to hold on, but Hannah stopped him. "She has to go on her own now."

The Empress strode ankle-deep into the fountain and turned. Her eyes flicked open and the normally dark irises glowed a piercing blue. She stared straight ahead without recognition. The white robes she was wearing transformed into the regal garments of Valiant: blue and white. Her creamy skin began to resemble the strange luminescence of the Fates.

As the transformation took place, a crown took form. It hovered above Aurora's head, held in place by an unseen force. The Empress became aware of its existence and her gaze lifted. She took hold of the crown with both hands and a smile touched her face. Lowering the ethereal circlet onto her head, Aurora vanished in a brilliant flash of light.